# dify vs n8n
_Workflow & Productivity · independent comparison_

> dify and n8n are both open-source workflow & productivity you can self-host for free. They're closely matched, so the choice comes down to language, license, and which approach fits your workflow. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**dify**
- Open source · Platform · 153k★ · TypeScript · active 2 days ago
- Best for: Teams building LLM apps with a visual builder, RAG pipelines, and agent workflows.
- Avoid if: You need deep programmatic control beyond what a visual platform allows.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/dify) · [official](https://dify.ai)

**n8n**
- Open source · Platform · 201k★ · TypeScript · active 3 days ago
- Best for: Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations.
- Avoid if: You want a zero-maintenance managed tool with no infrastructure.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/n8n) · [official](https://n8n.io)

## Which to choose

**Choose dify if:** Teams building LLM apps with a visual builder, RAG pipelines, and agent workflows.

**Choose n8n if:** Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between dify and n8n?**
Both are workflow & productivity built for a similar job; the differences are subtle — compare them on adoption, language, and license in the table above.

**Is dify or n8n better?**
Neither is universally better. dify is the stronger fit for Teams building LLM apps with a visual builder, RAG pipelines, and agent workflows; n8n for Self-hostable workflow automation with native AI agent nodes and 400+ integrations. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is dify or n8n free?**
dify is free to run and self-host; n8n is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, dify or n8n?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — n8n is ahead (201k vs 153k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/dify-vs-n8n